RESIDENTS are being asked to carry out a lorry watch in Covingham to take advantage of new powers allowing for the introduction of speed and weight restrictions.

The Government has given local authorities powers to decide the classification of roads – helping them to better direct traffic and restore peace and quiet in residential areas.

Coun Dale Heenan (Con, Convingham) confirmed that under the new regime weight restrictions would be introduced for vehicles travelling through Merlin Way.

But residents are first being asked to help gather information which will be fed back into a consultation between the community, the council and the Government.

Coun Heenan said: “Lorries have been an ongoing problem by cutting through to get to the farms and the industrial park in Dorcan.

“The starting point for the agreement to put weight restrictions in place is to set up a community lorry watch programme.

“This is to gather evidence of which way the lorries are going, how fast they are going and the number of lorries.

“We will then use this as a case for a seven-and-a-half-ton weight restriction.”

Coun Dale Heenan wants action to stop Covingham being plagued by lorries cutting through from the A419 to the Dorcan Industrial estate.

He believes they should use Oxford Road and Dorcan Way, but many drivers follow their sat navs and cut through Merlin Way and Kingfisher Drive.

Coun Richard Hurley (also Con, Covinhgam) said: “This has been a big problem, with many complaints and petitions from Merlin Way residents.

“Many of them have said how their houses shake when the lorries go past.

“It is under consultation at the moment and part of that is finding volunteers to carry out a traffic survey.

“Hopefully, at the end we will have speed and weight restrictions."

Anyone who can help out should email dale@eastswindon.

com.